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An artist has an obligation to tell the truth. [...] that the true horrors of human history derive not from orcs and Dark Lords, but from ourselves. We are the monsters. (And the heroes too). Each of us has within himself the capacity for great good, and great evil.
George R. R. Martin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the duality of human nature, highlighting that both good and evil exist within us all.

In this quote, George R. R. Martin reflects on the intrinsic capacity for both good and evil that resides within every individual. He suggests that the true horrors of human history come not from fantastical creatures or villains but from the actions of humans themselves, indicating that our choices define us. This acknowledgment of the darker aspects of humanity is crucial in understanding our collective responsibility to foster goodness.

Themes

TruthGoodEvilHuman NatureResponsibility

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about morality, I would use this quote to highlight the importance of personal accountability.

More from George R. R. Martin

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There is only one god and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: “Not today.
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I did not do it. Yet now I wish I had.’ He turned to face the hall, that sea of pale faces. ‘I wish I had enough poison for you all. You make me sorry that I am not the monster you would have me be, yet there it is. I am innocent, but I will get no justice here.
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But a voice inside her whispered, There are no heroes, and she remembered what Lord Petyr had said to her, here in this very hall. 'Life is not a song, sweetling,' he'd told her, 'You may learn that one day to your sorrow.' In life, the monsters win, she told herself.
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I write from this tight third-person viewpoint, where each chapter is seen through the eyes of one individual character. When I'm writing that character, I become that character and identify with that character.
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